The Truth About Music

"What's hot, what's not, and whats next in pop music"

The Truth About Music Release Radar: June 30th, 2009

By Harris posted June 29, 2009 at 22:02

Another week and another pretty lame trip to your local record store. Although there might be a few hidden gems this week nothing seems to call my name. There is only one album that I legitimately want to hear this week and that is “Cradlesong,” the follow-up album from former Matchbox 20 front-man Rob Thomas. I probably only want to hear this album in hopes that he will rekindle the spark and have a fun reunion tour with the band sometime in 2010 but either way he writes good songs on his own. After Thomas there is nothing else that interests me. Moby is releasing “Wait For Me,” and Bjork is releasing “Voltaic,” and I couldn’t care less. Time and time again I have been unimpressed by these two bands (and for their sake I will admit the genre’s are not my cup of tea). Killswitch Engage is releasing their [...] Continue...
The Matrix of Leadership

By Harris posted June 25, 2009 at 19:33

As I’ve been warned in the past, this post probably will contain some spoilers but I will try to reveal as little as possible. For those of you still confused about the title the Matrix of Leadership refers to a sacred artifact which appeared in the new Transformers movie “Revenge of the Fallen.” Going into the movie I did zero research unlike the first time I saw the original movie (two summers ago). This lack of research led to some really great surprises and definitely gave me a better experience. (Warning: The following paragraph is extremely nerdy of me and if you choose to skip it you will not be at fault. If you have seen Star Wars over 20 times and can recite any full scene from Lord of the Rings, you may not skip this paragraph). The title of this article really says it all to me. If [...] Continue...
My Mistake, There Really Was Something Good To Listen to This Week: NeverShoutNever!

By Harris posted June 24, 2009 at 11:16

In my post yesterday I was ranting about the lack of new things to listen to on a rainy Tuesday in June. Although I stand by what I said, I left off a really great little EP that was released yesterday by Christopher Drew, better known to fans as NeverShoutNever. “The Summer EP,” was released yesterday and true to it’s name it is a true winner, especially for summer. From the very beginning this group has an amazing ability to spread generations. When I first played this EP for my mom while driving to work one day she said “who likes this music?” I had just finished explaining that NeverShoutNever has a demographic similar to bands like Cobra Starship and All Time Low (aka 13-16 year olds, mostly girls). She continued, saying that she actually like the music and I can understand this. Drew’s music really does a great job [...] Continue...
The Truth About Music Release Radar: June 23rd, 2009

By Harris posted June 23, 2009 at 11:53

What has happend to the recorded music industry. With album sales at an all time high why aren’t there more releases this week? My mistake, it turns out that the recorded music industry is in the toilet and although Eminem, Green Day and Black Eyed Peas are unaware of this, the rest of the music world is. This week features nothing new and exciting to report. Is it scary that the album I want to hear the most is the soundtrack from “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?” Besides for that there are a bunch of new releases by indie artists that I’ve given a chance to and who have never impressed me. Specifically Regina Spektor. Her new album “Far,” comes out today and despite having recorded one of my favorite singles of 2006, her out there style and lack of hooks have driven me away. Also out this week is [...] Continue...
The Truth About Music Release Radar: June 16th, 2009

By Harris posted June 15, 2009 at 23:02

This week does not offer a lot in the area of new releases. I could ask you to bury your heads in George Harrison or Don Henley’s new greatest hits collections but that just seems redundant. Aside from a slew of “gold editions, special releases and new packaging on old albums there are only a handful of albums to check out. Spinal Tab will release a new album called “Back From The Dead,” in which I can only imagine they will continue to mockery the classic rock genre in the best ways possible. There are two things out that I want to draw special attention to. It is worth noting that on a day that features very few major label releases, there is one band with a new album and they have become the most famous brothers in pop music. The Jonas Brothers are set to release “Lines, Vines & [...] Continue...
The Greatest TV Show Ever…NOT!!

By Harris posted June 14, 2009 at 11:57

I’m sorry for all of these Twitter like short posts but things keep hitting me and this one smacked me in the face. Just before heading to work I was hoping to catch a few moments of the Yankees vs. Mets game. As all Sunday games are for the Mets, the game was on the CW11 and I tuned in a few minutes early. To my horror a show called “Degrassi,” was on and I think I am now scarred for life. Over the 3 minutes I was watching, I experienced some of the worst acting I had ever seen, paired with equally horrific writing. It makes me think that most stuffed animals and and other inanimate objects could also be TV writers. Either way, I would avoid that show at all costs unless you want a good laugh. If that is the case, please watch a full episode and [...] Continue...
The Songs in My Head

By Harris posted June 12, 2009 at 16:05

It is important to note anytime you hear a song that gives you goosebumps. As I continue to comb through the Black Eyed Peas new album The E.N.D. I have found another song that I can’t stop listening to. Track 9 on the album is called “Party All The Time,” and it makes you want to dance irrationally. The chorus is what really gets me and this album might just get me checked into the dance music party I have been avoiding my whole life. Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: Green Light by John Legend

By Harris posted June 11, 2009 at 17:55

In order for John Legend to take the largest leap of his career he employed Outcasts Andre 3000 as he moved into the realm of techno/hip hop. “Green Light,” which features the Outcast singer is my song of the week simply because of the opening line. With quiet on the set John sings “Give me the green light, Give me just one night, I’m ready to go right now,” and that’s all it took. For some reason I have been singing that line to myself all night and cannot get it out of my head. You might of first heard the song if you have been to Citi Field in Flushing to see a Mets game in 2009. Just before the Mets take the field that opening is played in a remix style and really does a great job firing up the crowd. Regardless of it’s placement the combination of [...] Continue...
Will. I. Am. and The Black Eyed Peas Get Autotune Right, Kanye Take Notes

By Harris posted June 10, 2009 at 10:46

To be honest with you, I have never been excited for a Black Eyed Peas record. A combination of lack of interest in full albums at the times of their last releases and a general dis-interest in the genre led me down this path. I am happy to say that three words (one with an elevated pitch) led me to be excited about “The E.N.D.” Those three words are “Boom Boom Boom.” I was very surprised that the Peas decided to lead off their new album with that song which included an extended intro. It seemed too good to lead off with but it seems to fit perfectly. As I have said before this is going to be one of the best songs of the year 2009 and was the sole reason I looked forward to the release. Although the second song on the album does nothing for me it [...] Continue...
The Truth About Music Release Radar: June 9th, 2009

By Harris posted June 09, 2009 at 08:16

Although there are quite a number of albums coming out today, there really is only one thing I am excited about, “Boom Boom Boom.” The Black Eyed Peas will release their fifth studio album, four years after “Monkey Business,” which will be called “The E.N.D.” The only reason I am excited about this album is because of “Boom Boom Pow,” which is one of the best songs I’ve heard in a while. Although many people dismiss it as cheesy I think Will I Am and the rest of the crew did a fantastic song in the production of this dance hit. Sonic Youth is also releasing “Eternal,” today which Eric Danton (music writer for the Hartford Courant) called “among the bands best ever,” on twitter this morning. Although I don’t know much from the band aside from “Superstar,” made famous in the hit movie “Juno,” I am looking forward to [...] Continue...